Impact Of Imperialism Essay, Research Paper

Impact of Imperialism

Imperialism had a big impact on both the Western and Non-western countries. During the age of Imperialism a truly global economy emerged. The western industrialized nations dominated, especially the United States, Britain, France and Germany. These nations manufactured raw goods from the nonwestern continents such as: Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The majority of the profits from this global exchange went to the western powers.

There was a new money economy during the Age of Imperialism. Western capitalists urbanized mines and plantations, which were reliant on local labor. Colonial rulers replaced the old exchange system with a new money economy. To cover government expenses, many taxes were imposed on their subjects. The only way subjects could earn money was through labor, such as: plantation work, mining, and government jobs. Many men became migrant workers, which left the women at home to do the planting and support the children.

The less prevailing countries became very dependent on their industrial superiors. Traditional economies were disrupted by mass production. Goods were produced cheaper and gave a wider assortment, which wiped out Indian neighbors, who made hand made cloth. Artisans and handcraft industries were destroyed because they could not compete with the mass production prices.

One benefit of colonial rule was modernization. Westerners created the basis for modern banking systems. New technology was also established including communication and transportation networks. Capitalists helped boost the economy by investing vast sums in railroad building. From China to Chile, leaders and business people benefited. Many countries, for example, used export profits to develop industry and buy innovative farm equipment to endorse growth.

Westernization was also known as modernization of less up to date countries. As westerners conquered other lands, they pressured their people to accept new modern ways. By this, they intended to impose western ideas, government, and culture. Nonwesterners eventually adapted to belief in western superiority. Their confidence sagged in their own cultures due to the success of the imperialist nations. To become advantageous, as the dominant countries were, conquered countries learned to embrace many western ways. Some nonwesterners, however, were astringent about the western modernization. They greatly resented abandoning their age-old traditions, and strongly resisted the western powers.

Missionaries who built schools and hospitals helped spread western ethnicity. They taught the people literacy and trained young men for jobs. They introduced medical breakthroughs, which saved many lives. Missionaries also spread their faith around the world, and Christianity became prevalent. There was great cultural diffusion in the nonwestern countries. Many countries didn?t want to give up their old traditions, but did want to try new ways. There was a complex blending of the old and new ways.

Western cultures felt a bit of cultural diffusion as well. Westerners drank coffee from Brazil and tea from Sri Lanka. They consumed bananas from Honduras, and pineapples from Hawaii. The arts from nonwestern countries also influenced modern sculptors and painters.

There was some political apprehension payable to imperialism. Often, colonial rule amalgamated rival people under a single government causing disgruntlement. By the early 1900s, opposition to imperialism was intriguing a new course. In Africa and Asia, educated elites were organizing nationalist movements to end colonial rule. At the same time, competition for empire was creating increased fervor between the western powers. In 1914, and again in 1939, imperialist ambitions would contribute to the outbreak of two shattering world wars.

In finale, imperialism has impacted both the western and nonwestern areas in pessimistic and affirmative ways.